{week 3} Train with a Purpose & Rest with Determination

Hitting my pace goals this week. :)

Wow. I've completed my first 2 weeks (15 weeks to go!) of marathon training and I feel like I have learned a whole year of lessons. Maybe a lifetime of lessons. Lots of light bulb moments and it's only been two weeks. I'm a little slow on the uptake sometimes and these may be obvious to you all but to me they were clearly moments of enlightenment. 

Two of the biggest:

• Run each run with a purpose--I've read this advice countless times. I thought I knew what it meant (in my head) but truly did not know what it meant in my heart and in my bones. Knowing the reason--build endurance, gain speed, shakeout muscles, simulate race conditions--gives meaning and purpose to my runs and helps me appreciate light bulb #2 below so much more than before I started this training plan. It helps me mentally prepare and I can take on the challenge of the day. No junk miles to meet some arbitrary goal. Above all this is preserving and protecting my love of running.

• Take rest/recovery days--THIS. THIS is the big one. I finally truly know this in  my core and my being. I know recovery is where the magic happens. Training breaks down my body and the rest/recovery days build it back up stronger.  Before starting this training plan, I was an everyday or almost everyday runner. Now that I have had 3 days of NO running each week for the last two weeks I've noticed that I am feeling stronger and fitter on the days I do run. I'm not slogging through the miles and I am finishing strong (this is important as it is my weak link). As my training volume increases, rest and recovering like a champ is crucial.

Trail running with Nani and Paul's soccer team

A mini-light bulb moment: I'm going to have to start waking up earlier for my mid-week long runs or I will be super-late for work. Especially as the mileage increases!

Week 3 (15 weeks until CIM)

Goal Mileage: 40 miles

Monday: Rest or cross-training (cycle class)

Tuesday: 10 miles, general aerobic run

Wednesday: 4 miles, recovery run with Nani

Thursday: 8 miles with 4 miles at tempo (lactate threshold run) + teach TRX class PM

Friday: Rest or cross-training (tabata AM + teach cycle class PM)

Saturday: 4 miles, recovery run with Nani

Sunday: 14 miles, medium-long run (6-7 miles with The Lab Rats)

Actual Mileage: 40.8 miles